Share this @internewscast.com

WASHINGTON — A Donald Trump supporter who faced threats after far-right conspiracy theorists and then-Fox News host Tucker Carlson falsely suggested he was a secret government operative who entrapped other Jan. 6 rioters was sentenced to probation on Tuesday.

Ray Epps, who was on the grounds of the Capitol on Jan. 6, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count earlier this year. Prosecutors sought a six-month prison sentence for Epps who became a target of far-right conspiracy theorists who have sought ways to obscure the truth: that hundreds of Trump supporters committed criminal acts on Jan. 6 because they believed the former president’s lie that the 2020 presidential election had been stolen.

“More than 700 people have been sentenced in this courthouse for their role in January 6th. Not one is a member of Antifa or a FBI agent,” Judge James Boasberg said Tuesday before sentencing Epps to probation.

Federal prosecutors had argued that Epps’ conduct on Jan. 6 was worthy of a period of incarceration, saying he “did not deserve the threats but does deserve to go to jail.”

“Ray Epps has been unfairly scapegoated. He was not a secret agent trying to trick Trump supporters,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gordon said during the sentencing hearing. “He is not innocent either.”

Epps told the judge before his sentencing that Fox News contributed to his belief that the election was stolen. He is currently suing Fox News, accusing the network of spreading the conspiracy theory that he was a federal agent. A representative for Fox did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Speaking of the pro-Trump mob on Jan. 6, Epps said that he had “never seen hate and vulgarity on this level” and that he realized “in hindsight” that what he did on Jan. 6 “is not what a Constitution-loving American would do.”

Epps, who now lives in an RV with his wife because of threats and called into the hearing remotely, said that he now chooses God and the Constitution over politicians and that he wants to help others who fell for lies about the 2020 presidential election.

“I commit to use the rest of my life to teach others to respect election results,” Epps said, indicating he planned to commit himself to advocating against election denialism.

Boasberg said that Epps had been “vilified in a matter unique to January 6 defendants” and that he was “the only one who suffered for what you didn’t do.” Boasberg said he believed Epps was truly remorseful for his actions.

“Given all of that mitigation, I believe prison is not warranted,” Boasberg said, sentencing Epps to a year of probation and 100 hours of community service.

Despite the fact that Epps was charged with and pleaded guilty to a federal crime, and that the government advocated for Epps to spend six months in federal prison, baseless and fact-free conspiracy theories about him continued to spread on Tuesday.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
June Lockhart, beloved mother figure from 'Lassie' and 'Lost In Space,' dies at 100 in Santa Monica

Farewell to June Lockhart: Celebrating the Iconic TV Mom from ‘Lassie’ and ‘Lost In Space’ at 100

In SANTA MONICA, Calif., June Lockhart, cherished as a maternal figure by…
12-year-old Minneapolis church shooting survivor shot in head released from hospital

Brave 12-Year-Old Minneapolis Church Shooting Survivor Triumphantly Returns Home After Head Injury Recovery

A 12-year-old girl, who was gravely injured during the shooting at Annunciation…
Progressive Zohran Mamdani taking his case directly to Fox News’ conservative viewers

Progressive Powerhouse Zohran Mamdani Faces Fox News: A Bold Move to Connect with Conservative Viewers

Zohran Mamdani, a leading Democratic mayoral candidate known for his democratic socialist…
Experts slam UN court ruling on Israel, warn opinion is also 'a real danger to the US'

Experts Criticize UN Court Decision on Israel, Caution of Potential Risks to the US

In a controversial development, experts on international law and the United Nations…
Universities defiant on Trump's academic excellence compact as feedback deadline passes

Universities Stand Firm Against Trump’s Academic Excellence Compact as Feedback Deadline Expires

In a notable response to the Trump administration’s proposed Compact for Academic…
SNAP benefits November: Donald Trump admin. won't tap contingency fund for food aid amid government shutdown 2025, memo says

Trump Administration Withholds SNAP Contingency Funds During 2025 Government Shutdown, Memo Reveals

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has decided against using approximately $5 billion…
Dems Cry ‘Voter Intimidation’ as DOJ Deploys Election Monitors to CA, NJ

DOJ Sends Election Monitors to California and New Jersey Amidst Voter Intimidation Concerns

The Department of Justice revealed on Friday its plan to deploy election…
Riverdale Amber Alert Illinois today: Police searching for kidnapping suspect Austin Bell, 4 kids, stolen car silver Acura MDX

Urgent Amber Alert: Search Underway for Suspect and 4 Missing Children in Stolen Silver Acura MDX in Riverdale, Illinois

In Riverdale, Illinois, authorities are actively searching for a suspect accused of…
Independent NJ candidate’s martial arts theatrics shakes up township meeting

Martial Arts Moves by Independent NJ Candidate Stir Excitement at Township Meeting

It felt less like a conventional town hall meeting and more akin…
Trump’s $230M DOJ settlement bid likely has few legal backstops

Trump’s $230M DOJ Settlement Proposal Faces Legal Hurdles, Experts Say

Former President Donald Trump is pursuing a substantial compensation claim, potentially amounting…
1 dead, 6 injured after shooting at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania: police

Tragic Shooting at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania Leaves 1 Dead, 6 Injured

A tragic incident unfolded at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania during the institution’s…
GIF of agents clashing with protesters in Portland at an ICE facility

Protesters Captured on Video Clashing with Federal Officers at Portland ICE Facility, Leading to Arrests

A woman was taken into custody outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs…